Earthquake magnitude of 7 rises death toll in 80s; tsunami warning issued

A strong earthquake has struck the nation and has the people rushing out of their homes, with the death toll rising in the 80s.

A strong earthquake has struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok, killing at least 82 people and shaking neighboring Bali.

The magnitude-7 quake struck at a depth of 15 kilometers early on Sunday evening in the northern part of Lombok, triggering a brief tsunami warning and damaging buildings as far away as Denpasar in Bali. It was followed by aftershocks as strong as magnitude-5.4.

On Lombok, thousands fled from their homes to gather for safety in open spaces, but a tsunami warning was lifted after waves just 15 centimeters high were recorded in three villages.

READ ALSO:  Tsunami warning issued after Magnitude 7.0 earthquake

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said 65 of the deaths were in North Lombok district, nine in West Lombok district, four in the provincial capital Mataram and two each in Central Lombok and East Lombok districts.

Thousands of houses were damaged, and most of those killed were hit by collapsed houses, he said.

The Bali and Lombok airports continued operating on Sunday night, according to the director general of civil aviation.

There had been a half hour evacuation at the Lombok airport following the quake because the electricity went off. TV showed crying women consoling each other outside the airport.

This takes place one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen.

Like Bali, Lombok is known for pristine beaches and mountains. Hotels and other buildings in both locations are not allowed to exceed the height of coconut palms.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.